Surgical stapler flexible distal tip

ABSTRACT

A tool assembly for a surgical device includes a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface and a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions wherein, in the closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from each other and define a tissue gap. A compressible material is secured to a distal end of the first jaw member. The compressible material engages the second jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. A surgical device includes the aforementioned tool assembly. A kit includes the compressible material secured on a tool assembly of a surgical device. A method of manufacturing the tool assembly and securing the compressible material is disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical devices and, moreparticularly, to surgical stapling devices that can function to graspand manipulate tissue having varying thicknesses.

Description of Related Art

Surgical staplers are commonly employed by surgeons on tissue of varyingthickness including thick tissue and thin tissue. Known surgicalstaplers typically include a pair of jaws supporting a staple cartridgeand an anvil member. The jaws are movable between an open position inwhich the distal end of the jaws are spaced from each other and aclamped position in which the jaws are in juxtaposed alignment with eachother. In the clamped position, the jaws are spaced from each other todefine a tissue gap that is dimensioned to receive the tissue to besutured.

Known surgical staplers include open surgical staplers and endoscopicsurgical staplers. Endoscopic surgical staplers are inserted throughsmall incisions or cannulas extending through small incisions in theskin of a patient or subject to a position adjacent a surgical site.Because of the limited ability of a surgeon to access the surgical site,endoscopic surgical staplers are typically used to grasp and manipulatetissue prior to be actuated to suture tissue.

The ability to grasp and manipulate tissue using an endoscopic stapleris directly controlled by the size of the tissue gap and the thicknessof the tissue being manipulated. More specifically, if the thickness ofthe tissue is less than the height of the tissue gap, the jaws of theendoscopic stapler will be less capable of grasping and manipulating thetissue. When surgeons are working with thin tissue, e.g., thoracictissue, the ability to grasp and manipulate tissue with an endoscopicsurgical stapler may be hindered. This may make it more difficult for aclinician to manipulate tissue at the surgical site during an endoscopicprocedure, thus lengthening the surgical procedure and increasing traumato the patient or subject.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art, the presentdisclosure relates to a tool assembly for a surgical device thatincludes a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface anda second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface. The firstjaw member and the second jaw member are movable in relation to eachother between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position,the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from eachother and define a tissue gap. A compressible material is secured to adistal end of the first jaw member and is positioned to engage thesecond jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in theclosed position.

In embodiments, the tool assembly may include an adhesive positioned tosecure the compressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.The adhesive material may be selected from the group consisting ofcyanoacrylate (e.g., High Flex Cyanoacrylate) and pressure sensitiveadhesive (PSA).

In some embodiments, the second jaw of the tool assembly may support aplurality of staples.

In other embodiments, the distal ends of first and second jaw membersmay define a wedge-like volume in which the compressible material isreceived.

In yet other embodiments, the compressible material may include atextured surface having raised protrusions that are configured tocontact tissue of a subject.

In still other embodiments, the adhesive may include a pressuresensitive material configured with a removable backing material toenable adhesion to a surface of the compressible material to secure thecompressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the present disclosure relates alsoto a surgical device that includes a handle assembly, an elongatedmember extending from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly supportedon a distal end of the elongated member. The tool assembly includes afirst jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface and a secondjaw member defining a second tissue contact surface. The first jawmember and the second jaw member are movable in relation to each otherbetween open and closed positions wherein, in the closed position, thefirst and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from eachother and define a tissue gap. A compressible material is secured to adistal end of the first jaw member and is positioned to engage thesecond jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in theclosed position.

In embodiments, the tool assembly may include an adhesive positioned tosecure the compressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.The adhesive material may be selected from the group consisting ofcyanoacrylate (e.g., High Flex Cyanoacrylate) and pressure sensitiveadhesive (PSA).

In other embodiments, the compressible material may include a texturedsurface having raised protrusions that are configured to contact tissueof a subject.

In still other embodiments, the adhesive may include a pressuresensitive material configured with a removable backing material toenable adhesion to a surface of the compressible material to secure thecompressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a kit that includesa tool assembly that includes a first jaw member defining a first tissuecontact surface and a second jaw member defining a second tissue contactsurface. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are movable inrelation to each other between open and closed positions wherein, in theclosed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spacedapart from each other and define a tissue gap. The kit also includes acompressible material that is configured to be secured to a distal endof the first jaw member and a sterile package that supports thecompressible material and the tool assembly.

In embodiments, the compressible material may support an adhesivepositioned to secure the compressible material to the distal tip of thetool assembly.

In still other embodiments, the distal ends of first and second jawmembers may define a wedge-like volume that receives the compressiblematerial.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a kit thatincludes a tool assembly having a first jaw member defining a firsttissue contact surface and a second jaw member, wherein the first jawmember and the second jaw member are movable in relation to each otherbetween open and closed positions. The kit includes a plurality ofcartridges, wherein each of the cartridges is adapted to be releasablycoupled to the second jaw member and defines a second tissue contactsurface. The compressible material is supported on a distal end of atleast one of the plurality of cartridges. In the closed position, thefirst and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from eachother and define a tissue gap and the compressible material isdimensioned to extend across the tissue gap when the at least onecartridge of the plurality of cartridges is coupled to the second jawmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, together with the detailed description of theembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a surgical stapling device including anoperative tool according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates the operative tool of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 1 according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 illustrates the “Tissue Gap” which is the distance of theinterfacing space between tissue contacting surfaces of the operativetools of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an elongate shaft and an operative tool in an openposition which includes a flexible, compressible material at the distalend of the operative tool according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 4 which illustrates the compressible material at the distal end ofthe operative tool;

FIG. 5 illustrates the elongate shaft and the operative tool of FIGS. 4and 4A in a closed position without the presence of patient tissuewherein the compressible material is compressed between jaws at thedistal end of the operative tool according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates the elongate shaft and the operative tool of FIGS. 4and 4A in a closed position with the tissue positioned between thecompressible material and an adjacent jaw at the distal end of theoperative tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG.7 illustrates a kit containing the compressible material of FIGS. 4, 4A,5 and 6 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a kit containing the compressible material of FIGS.4, 4A, 5 and 6 pre-secured to a replacement staple cartridge assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an endoscopic surgical stapling deviceincluding a tool assembly having a pair of jaws that are movable inrelation to each other from an open position to a closed or clampedposition. In the clamped position, the jaws are positioned in juxtaposedalignment and define a tissue gap dimensioned to receive tissue to besutured. The distal end of one of the jaws of the tool assembly isfitted with a low durometer or compressible material, e.g., acompressible pad, that is positioned to extend across the tissue gapinto engagement with the other jaw when the tool assembly is in theclamped position. The compressible material facilitates grasping of thintissue during an endoscopic surgical procedure including tissue having athickness smaller than the tissue gap. The material can be compressible,flexible, or deformable to facilitate grasping of tissue.

Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to the portionof the device closest to the operator and the term “distal” refers tothe portion of the device furthest from the operator.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a commonly used surgicalstapling device. Referring now in detail to FIG. 1, in which likereference numerals identify identical elements or corresponding elementsin each of the several views as will be used throughout the presentdisclosure, the surgical stapling device 100 includes a handle assembly113, an elongated member 114 extending distally from handle assembly113, and a disposable loading unit (“DLU”) 116 releasably secured to adistal end of elongated member 114. DLU 116 includes a proximal bodyportion 129 which forms an extension of elongated member 114, and adistal tool assembly 127 including a pair of jaws 126 and 128respectively. In embodiments, one jaw includes a cartridge assembly 126and the other jaw includes an anvil member 128. The tool assembly 127 ispivotally connected to body portion 129 about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 114. Thecartridge assembly 126 houses a plurality of staples (not shown). Theanvil member 128 is movable in relation to the cartridge assembly 126between an open position spaced from cartridge assembly 126 and a closedor clamped position in juxtaposed alignment with the cartridge assembly126. The tool assembly 127 may alternatively be arranged such thatcartridge assembly 126 is movable in relation to anvil member 128. DLU116 is configured to apply linear rows of staples to tissue clampedbetween the cartridge assembly 126 and the anvil member 128.Furthermore, in embodiments, the tool assembly 127 may have a straightconfiguration and not provide articulation.

The handle assembly 113 includes a stationary handle 118, a movablehandle 120, and a barrel portion 119. A rotation control member 122 isrotatably mounted at the forward (distal) end of barrel portion 119 tofacilitate rotation of elongated member 114 with respect to handleassembly 113. An articulation lever 124 is also mounted on the forwardend of barrel portion 119 adjacent rotation control member 122 tofacilitate articulation of tool assembly 127. A pair of retractor knobs115 is movably positioned along barrel portion 119 to return device 100to a retracted position. The retractor knobs 115 are connected to thedrive assembly (not shown) of the surgical stapling device through slots117 defined in the barrel portion 119 and are movable along the barrelportion 119 to retract the drive assembly and move the cartridgeassembly 126 and the anvil member 128 from the clamped position to theopen position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361 to Milliman et al. (hereinafter“the '361 Patent”), describes such a handle assembly and is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although the presentdisclosure illustrates a tool assembly 127 supported on a DLU, it isenvisioned that the tool assembly 127 of the present disclosure can befixedly supported on the distal end of the body 114 of the surgicalstapling device 100. Furthermore, a surgical instrument having a toolassembly functioning in a similar manner as surgical stapling device 100and tool assembly 127 may include a motorized handle or be configuredfor use in a robotic surgical system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the tool assembly 127 includingthe staple cartridge assembly 126 and the anvil member 128. Staplecartridge assembly 126 includes a tissue contacting surface 220 having aplurality of retention slots 223 disposed therein and arranged in rowsthat are substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of staplecartridge assembly 126. Each row of retention slots 223 islongitudinally offset from an adjacent row of retention slots. Inembodiments, a knife channel 230 is disposed along the longitudinal axisof staple cartridge assembly 126 that is adapted for slidably receivinga knife (not shown). For a description of a knife of an exemplarysurgical stapling device, see the '361 Patent.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other surgicalstapling devices known in the art that have similar design features withrespect to the staple cartridge and anvil. Another example of such asurgical stapling device and methods for its use are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,407,075, currently assigned to Covidien, LP, the entirecontents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a tool assembly 400. An importantfeature of endoscopic surgical stapling devices such as the onedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-2, and others known in the art,for at least some surgeons, is the ability of the surgeon to grasp andmanipulate tissue to allow a clinician to properly position tissue andto access tissue to be sutured. This ability to grasp tissue is directlyrelated to the “Tissue Gap” G which is the distance of the interfacingspace between tissue contacting surface 128 a of the anvil member 128and tissue contacting surface 220 of the cartridge assembly 126 when thecartridge assembly 126 and the anvil member 128 are in the clampedposition. The current state of the art is based on targeting a nominaltolerance of the “Tissue Gap” G in the manufacture of the devicecomponents. When surgeons are working with thin or thoracic tissues,despite the manufacturing of the surgical device within the nominaltolerance of the “Tissue Gap” G, the ability to grasp and manipulatetissue may be hindered. This may make it more difficult for a clinicianto manipulate tissue at the surgical site, thus lengthening the surgicalprocedure and increasing trauma to a patient or subject. An additionalinstrument, such as a separate grasper, may be used by the surgeon butthis may also lengthen the procedure and increase trauma.

As indicated above, the present disclosure relates to a solution to theadverse surgical performance issues that are driven by the presence ofthe “Tissue Gap” G as described above. That is, the present disclosurerelates to a compressible material disposed at a distal tip of the toolassembly of a surgical device such as a surgical stapling device. Thecompressible material is disposed at the distal end of the toolassembly, for example, on the cartridge assembly, to bridge the gap.This can be accomplished by affixing a relatively low durometer materialon the distal end of the cartridge assembly. The material may beconfigured as a wedge-like volume, and may be flexible, compressible ordeformable.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed compressible material disposed ata distal tip of the tool assembly of a surgical device such as asurgical stapling device will now be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in conjunction with FIG. 3, a DLU 600 isdisclosed that includes an elongate shaft 610 and a tool assembly 400supported on the distal end of the elongate shaft 610. Although the toolassembly 400 is illustrated as being part of a DLU 600, it is envisionedthat the tool assembly 400 could be fixedly supported on the distal endof the body of a surgical stapling device, e.g., body 114 (FIG. 1). Thetool assembly 400 includes a pair of jaws including an anvil member 410and a cartridge assembly 420. In this example, the cartridge assembly420 is pivotably movable with respect to the anvil member 410.

The cartridge assembly 420 includes a substantially planar tissuecontacting surface 412 that extends distally to a distal tip 40 b of theanvil member 410 to define an angular surface 414 having a distal end411. The angular surface 414 is positioned to guide tissue between thejaws. The shape of the leading edge 436 of the compressible material 430allows tissue T to move up and over the material 430 without thematerial folding back on itself

The cartridge assembly 420 includes the substantially planar tissuecontacting surface 422 and an angular surface 424. The tissue contactingsurface 422 extends to the angular surface 424 which is configured toguide tissue between the jaws of the tool assembly 400.

Referring to FIG. 4, the anvil member 410 and the staple cartridge 420define an open position wherein the substantially planar tissuecontacting surface 410 of the anvil 410 is spaced from the substantiallyplanar tissue contacting surface 422 of the cartridge assembly 420 toreceive tissue between the jaws.

Referring to FIG. 5, the anvil member 410 and the staple cartridgeassembly 420 define a closed position wherein the substantially planartissue contacting surface 412 of the anvil member 410 and thesubstantially planar tissue contacting surface 422 of the cartridgeassembly 420 are in close proximity to one another to define the “TissueGap” G.

As best appreciated by reference to FIG. 5, the angular surface 414defined by the anvil member 410 and the angular surface 424 defined bythe staple cartridge assembly 420 define a wedge-like volume V when theanvil member 410 and the staple cartridge assembly 420 are in the closedposition. Alternately, other configurations of the anvil member 410 andthe cartridge assembly 420 are envisioned.

The handle assembly 113 (see FIG. 1) is configured to move the first andsecond jaw members 420 and 410, respectively, between the open andclosed positions before clamping onto tissue or firing staples.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 4A, a compressible material 430 is supportedbetween the distal ends of the anvil member 410 and the cartridgeassembly 420. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the compressiblematerial 430 has a wedge-like shape that includes a first generally flator slightly arcuate surface 434′and a second generally flat surface 434″that are in an angled relationship with one another. The wedge-likeshape of the compressible material 430 includes an arcuate peripheralexternal surface 436 that extends between first surface 434′ and secondsurface 434″ such that the first surface 434′ intersects the arcuateperipheral external surface 436 approximately at a right angle θ whilethe second surface 434″ intersects the arcuate peripheral externalsurface 436 at an acute angle Φ. Alternately other configurations areenvisioned for the compressible material 430.

The wedge-like volume or shape of the compressible material 430 mayinclude a plurality of sloped or curved surfaces. In addition, asopposed to the smooth texture of first surface 434′, the wedge-likevolume or shape of the compressible material 430 may include frictionalfeatures arranged to provide gentle frictional grasping of tissue whilereducing trauma to the patient or subject. In embodiments, thefrictional grasping of tissue may be enhanced by textured surface 434 a′that includes intermittently spaced raised protrusions 435. (Althoughnot explicitly shown in FIGS. 5-8 described below, those skilled in theart will recognize that the raised protrusions 435 interface withpatient tissue T that is shown in FIG. 6).

In embodiments, the compressible material 430 is fixedly positioned onangular surface 424 of the cartridge assembly 430 such as byovermolding, chemically bonding, or adhesives. It is also envisionedthat the compressible material is otherwise fastened to the anvil member410. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the compressible materialis fastened to the cartridge assembly 420 such that the second generallyflat surface 434″ interfaces and is in direct contact with the angularsurface 424. Alternatively, in the case of chemically bonding, anadhesive layer 438 may be applied between the angular surface 424 andthe second generally flat surface 434″. The second surface 434″ is nowshown as a dashed line in FIG. 4A via a dashed lead line. Such adhesivesmay be provided as a tape or liquid or semi-solid at first surface 438′of the adhesive 438 that adheres to the second surface 434″ of thecompressible material 430 and may include pressure sensitive adhesives(PSA) or cyanoacrylate, e.g., High Flex cyanoacrylate. Second surface438″ of the adhesive layer 438 now adheres to the angular surface 424.In the case wherein the adhesive layer 438 is in the form of a PSA, thePSA may include a backing material 438 a, e.g., paper, (see FIG. 7) oneither one or both of the first surface 438′ and the second surface438″. The backing material 438 a may be removed to enable the firstsurface 438′ of the adhesive layer 438 to be applied to the secondsurface 434″ while the second surface 438″ of the adhesive layer 438 isapplied to the angular surface 424.

The compressible material 430 is made from materials such asthermoplastic rubber (TPV), e.g., Santoprene™ thermoplastic vulcanizate(TPV manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Spring, Tex., USA), apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, or other material having desirablecharacteristics of being flexible, compressible and/or deformable, orhaving low durometer characteristics, e.g., durometer readings betweenabout 40 to about 55 A.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first surface 434′ of thecompressible material 430 extends across a plane defined by the tissuecontacting surface of the jaw to which the compressible material isfastened, e.g., the tissue contacting surface 422 of the staplecartridge 420, to a position in closer proximity to or into engagementwith the other jaw, e.g., the anvil member 410. This allows thecompressible material 430 to compress tissue against the opposing jawwhen the tool assembly is moved to the clamped position when the tissuehas a thickness that is thinner than the Tissue Gap G. It will beunderstood that tool assembly 400 in FIGS. 4 and 4A differs from generictool assembly 127 in FIGS. 1-3 only by the inclusion of the compressiblematerial 430. FIG. 5 illustrates the tool assembly 400 in the closed orclamped position without the presence of patient tissue, wherein thetissue contacting surface 412 of the anvil member 410 is in closeproximity to the tissue contacting surface 422 to form the gap G aspreviously illustrated and described above. The compressible material430 is thus configured to be received in the wedge-like volume V at thedistal end of the tool assembly 400 when the anvil member 410 and thestaple cartridge assembly 420 are in the closed position. Thecompressible material 430 is now compressed between the angular surface414 of the anvil member 410 and the angular surface 424 of the cartridgeassembly 420. It is noted that the compressible material need only besized to extend to a position closer to the opposing jaw a distance lessthan the existing Tissue Gap G to improve the grasping function of thesurgical stapling device. Thus, the compressible material 430 need notbe in a compressed state when the jaws of the tool assembly 400 are inthe closed position. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and 8, thewedge-shaped compressible material 430 should not extend onto the tissuecontacting surface 422 of the cartridge assembly 420.

FIG. 6 illustrates the tool assembly 400 in the closed position with thepresence of patient tissue T, wherein the tissue contacting surface 412of the anvil member 410 is in close proximity to the tissue contactingsurface 422 to form gap G. The patient tissue T extends distally betweenthe two tissue contacting surfaces 412 and 422 and between the angularsurface 414 of the anvil member 410 and the first surface 434′ of thecompressible material 430 and then projects further distally over thearcuate peripheral external surface 436 and past the distal end 421 ofthe angular surface 424. Since the patient tissue T is now present, thecompressible material 430 is still received within the wedge-like volumeV and the patient tissue T is also present within the wedge-like volumeV.

As the surgeon closes the jaws 410 and 420 to grasp and manipulatevarious tissues T, the compressible material 430 will conform to thedifferent tissue thicknesses. When clamping on tissue, the jaw of thetool assembly 400 to which the compressible material is fastened, e.g.,the cartridge assembly 420, will contact tissue T and flex outwardly toallow proper tissue compression. As the device cutting knife travelsdistally within knife channel 230 (see FIG. 3) down the length of thetool assembly 400, the compressible material 430 will continue tocompress and flex outwardly with minimal force.

This durometer of the compressible material 430 is such that thecompressible material 430 will have little to no impact on the primarydevice function of cutting and sealing tissue with good stapleformation. The shape of the leading edge 436 of the compressiblematerial 430 allows tissue T to move up and over the material 430without the material folding back on itself.

The wedge-shaped compressible material 430 may be attached to the staplecartridge, the anvil, or some other component, by the manufacturer, orthe wedge-shaped compressible material may be provided separately.

FIG. 7 illustrates a kit 405 that includes the compressible material 430that is configured to be received in the wedge-like volume V at thedistal tip 40 b of the tool assembly 400′ and a sterile package 440containing therein the compressible material 430. In one embodiment, thesterile package 440 may further contain an adhesive 450 shown in dashedlines in the form of a tube of adhesive bonding material 438 asdescribed above. Alternatively, the adhesive 450 may be in the form of atape (that may be incorporated into a tape dispenser) also representedby the dashed lines. The kit 405 may be utilized particularly in thosecases wherein the compressible material 430 is inserted in the toolassembly 400′ by chemical bonding, such as via the adhesive layer 438,as described above with respect to FIG. 4A, or by the tape, or by thepressure sensitive adhesive 438 having removable backing material 438 a.In this manner, the compressible material 430 may be readilyretro-fitted to existing surgical instruments 600 and may be providedseparately via the kit 405. The compressible material 430 may be fittedto the surgical instrument 600, whether new or existing, at a suitablelocation, including, for example, a manufacturing facility or on thepremises of a hospital or other medical facility for use by a surgeon.

In certain embodiments, kit 405 may include more than one wedge-shapedcompressible member 430 together with adhesive 450 which may be in theform of a tape.

Referring to FIG. 8, in an alternate embodiment, kit 405′ may includeone or more replaceable cartridge assemblies 420 in sterile package 440′that are removable from a jaw of the tool assembly, as is known in theart, wherein at least one of the cartridge assemblies 420 includes acompressible material 430 secured to an end of the cartridge assembly420. In this case, the adhesive 450, if present, is only required forremediation efforts since the compressible material 430 is pre-securedto the cartridge assembly 420.

Those skilled in the art will recognize from the foregoing descriptionthat the present disclosure relates, in one embodiment, referring toFIGS. 3-7 to tool assembly 400 for use with a surgical device, toolassembly 400 that includes a first jaw member 420 defining first tissuecontact surface 422 and second jaw member 410 defining second tissuecontact surface 412. The first jaw member 420 and the second jaw member410 are movable in relation to each other between open and closedpositions, wherein in the closed position, the first and second tissuecontact surfaces 422 and 412, respectively, are spaced apart from eachother and define tissue gap G. The surgical device 600 includescompressible material 430 secured to distal end 421 of the first jawmember 420, wherein the compressible material 430 engages the second jawmember 410 when the first and second jaw members 420 and 410,respectively, are in the closed position.

The second jaw member 410 defines distal end 411 and the distal ends421, 411 of first and second jaw members respectively define wedge-likevolume V and the compressible material 430 is received in the wedge-likevolume V. Alternately, other jaw configurations are envisioned.

The present disclosure also relates, in one embodiment, to a toolassembly 400 that further includes compressible material 430 asdescribed above.

Still further, the present disclosure relates in one embodiment to a kit405 for installing the compressible material 430 that is configured tobe secured to distal end 421 of a jaw member 420 of the tool assembly400. The kit 405 includes sterile package 405 containing thecompressible material 430 therein. The kit 405 may further include thetube 450 of adhesive bonding material 438.

Alternately, as shown in FIG. 8, the kit 405′may include a plurality ofreplaceable cartridge assemblies, wherein at least one of the cartridgeassemblies 420 includes a compressible material 430. More specifically,the kit 405′ may include a plurality of cartridge assemblies 420 thatare adapted to be releasably coupled to one of the jaw members of thetool assembly. At least one of the cartridge assemblies includes acompressible material 430 to allow a clinician to manipulate tissue withthe tool assembly when necessary. The kit 405′ also includes a sterilepackage 440′ that supports the cartridge assemblies 420 and the toolassembly

The present disclosure further relates, in still another embodiment, toa method of manufacturing tool assembly 400 for a surgical device thatincludes providing the tool assembly 400 for surgical device 600 andsecuring compressible material 430 to a distal end 421 of the first jawmember 420, the compressible material 430 being positioned in closeapproximation or in engagement with the second jaw member 410 when thefirst and second jaw members are in the closed position.

The securing of the compressible material 430 may include thecompressible material being received in a wedge-like volume V of thetool assembly 400.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely as examplesof particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity orunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool assembly for a surgical device,comprising: a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface;a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface, the firstjaw member and the second jaw member being movable in relation to eachother between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closedposition, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apartfrom each other and define a tissue gap; and a compressible materialsecured to a distal end of the first jaw member, the compressiblematerial engaging the second jaw member when the first and second jawmembers are in the closed position.
 2. The tool assembly according toclaim 1, further comprising an adhesive positioned to secure thecompressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.
 3. Thetool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive material isselected from the group consisting of cyanoacrylate and pressuresensitive adhesive.
 4. The tool assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe second jaw of the tool assembly supports a plurality of staples. 5.The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second jaw memberdefines a distal end and the distal ends of first and second jaw membersdefine a wedge-like volume, the compressible material being received inthe wedge-like volume.
 6. The tool assembly according to claim 1,wherein the compressible material includes a textured surface havingraised protrusions that are configured to contact tissue of a subject.7. The tool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive includesa pressure sensitive material configured with a removable backingmaterial to enable adhesion to a surface of the compressible material tosecure the compressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.8. A surgical device comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated memberextending from the handle assembly; and a tool assembly supported on adistal end of the elongated member, the tool assembly including: a firstjaw member defining a first tissue contact surface; a second jaw memberdefining a second tissue contact surface, the first jaw member and thesecond jaw member being movable in relation to each other between openand closed positions, wherein, in the closed position, the first andsecond tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from each other anddefine a tissue gap; and a compressible material secured to a distal endof the first jaw member, the compressible material engaging the secondjaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closedposition.
 9. The surgical device according to claim 8, furthercomprising an adhesive positioned to secure the compressible material tothe distal tip of the tool assembly.
 10. The surgical device accordingto claim 9, wherein the adhesive material is selected from the groupconsisting of cyanoacrylate and pressure sensitive adhesive.
 11. Thesurgical device according to claim 8, wherein the second jaw of the toolassembly supports a plurality of staples.
 12. The surgical deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the surgical device is a surgical stapler.13. The surgical device according to claim 8, wherein the second jawmember defines a distal end and the distal ends of first and second jawmembers define a wedge-like volume, the compressible material beingreceived in the wedge-like volume.
 14. The surgical device according toclaim 8, wherein the compressible material includes a textured surfacehaving raised protrusions that are configured to contact tissue of asubject.
 15. The surgical device according to claim 9, wherein theadhesive includes a pressure sensitive material configured with aremovable backing material to enable adhesion to a surface of thecompressible material to secure the compressible material to the distaltip of the tool assembly.
 16. A kit comprising; a tool assemblycomprising a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surfaceand a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface, thefirst jaw member and the second jaw member being movable in relation toeach other between open and closed positions, wherein in the closedposition, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apartfrom each other and define a tissue gap; a compressible materialconfigured to be secured to a distal end of the first jaw member; and asterile package supporting the compressible material and the toolassembly.
 17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the compressiblematerial supports an adhesive positioned to secure the compressiblematerial to the distal tip of the tool assembly.
 18. The kit accordingto claim 16, wherein the second jaw member defines a distal end and thedistal ends of first and second jaw members define a wedge-like volume,the compressible material being configured to be received in thewedge-like volume.
 19. A kit comprising: a tool assembly comprising afirst jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member and thesecond jaw member being movable in relation to each other between openand closed positions, the first jaw member defining a first tissuecontact surface; a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges beingadapted to be releasably coupled to the second jaw member and defining asecond tissue contact surface; and a compressible material supported ona distal end of at least one of the plurality of cartridges, wherein inthe closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces arespaced apart from each other to define a tissue gap and the compressiblematerial is dimensioned to extend across the tissue gap when the atleast one cartridge of the plurality of cartridges is coupled to thesecond jaw member.